10 MMA Fighters Who Wasted Their Careers

These 10 fighters had the MMA world in the palm of their hands but wasted it away.

The post 10 MMA Fighters Who Wasted Their Careers appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

What if the last day you have on earth, the person you became met the person you could have become?

It’s a heavy question, but if you are honest with yourself, it’s an excellent barometer to gauge how fulfilling and productive your life was, or could’ve been. One of the saddest things in life is seeing wasted talent, or worse yet, watching someone self-destruct right before your eyes.

This scenario seems to play itself out time and time again in sports and is an equal opportunity destroyer of lives. Take John Daly, Darryl Strawberry, and Ryan Leaf for instance. All three of these athletes wasted their careers away to varying degrees and never came close to reaching their perceived ceiling. Unfortunately, mixed martial arts (MMA) is no different when it comes to athletes wasting their careers away.

This year, the sport celebrated its silver anniversary. In that time the growing number of fighters who have squandered otherwise promising careers is staggering. We here at LowkickMMA compiled a list of the 10 fighters who wasted their careers away.

The list starts here, enjoy:

 

Jon Jones

We start the list off with none other than decorated-yet-troubled former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones.

Jones is still in the process of writing his story, but if history has shown us anything, it’s that athletes that continually mess up usually continue to self-destruct unless a comprehensive lifestyle intervention takes place.

“Bones” makes this list because he is perhaps the best and most recent example of an MMA fighter wasting their potential away. Once considered the unquestioned greatest of all time, Jones is, unfortunately, more likely the butt of a joke than in the running for the GOAT conversation nowadays.

Jones won the UFC light heavyweight championship on two occasions; he would also become the first fighter in company history to be stripped of the same title both times.

Couple that with “Bones” well-documented controversies that include a hit-and-run involving a pregnant woman, multiple failed drug tests, and a seemingly never-ending stream of generally head-scratching outside-the-cage trouble, and it’s no wonder Jones makes the list of fighters that wasted their careers.

The post 10 MMA Fighters Who Wasted Their Careers appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

8 Fighters Released from the UFC, Including Former WEC Champ Brian Bowles

The UFC’s massive stable of fighters shrunk slightly Tuesday when the promotion released eight fighters, including former WEC bantamweight champ Brian Bowles, per a report from Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting.
Aside from Bowles, the other form…

The UFC’s massive stable of fighters shrunk slightly Tuesday when the promotion released eight fighters, including former WEC bantamweight champ Brian Bowles, per a report from  of MMA Fighting.

Aside from Bowles, the other former UFC fighters who received their walking papers were: Stanislav Nedkov, Andy Ogle, Akira Corassani, Humberto Brown, Rodolfo Rubio, Juan Puig and Tim Gorman.

Of the eight fighters who were cut, none seemed to make more sense for the UFC than Bowles.

Not only has Bowles been finished in each of his last two bouts, but he was also arrested on Jan. 14 and slapped with multiple drug charges and an additional charge of possession of a firearm during the admission of a crime.

Bowles won his first two fights in the UFC before being guillotined in the second round by Urijah Faber and TKO’d in the second round by George Roop in his last two fights.

Nedkov, who entered the UFC with an 11-0 mark, tasted defeat in two of his last three fights. Nedkov only eluded a submission loss against Thiago Silva at UFC on Fuel TV 6 because the decision was overturned after the Brazilian tested positive for marijuana in a post-fight drug screen.

After earning a unanimous-decision win over Josh Grispi at UFC on Fuel TV 7, Ogle dropped four straight fights in the promotion, including an eight-second TKO loss to Makwan Amirkhani in his last outing.

Akin to the Bowles‘ situation, few fans should seem surprised over the UFC’s decision to let go of Corassani. After all, the Swedish-born featherweight essentially announced his retirement after suffering his third straight KO/TKO loss in January.

Puig got cut after getting knocked out in back-to-back fights by Adriano Martins and Doo Ho Choi. Sadly for Brown, Rubio and Gorman, they each got their pink slips after losing in their promotional debuts.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

The One Who Knocks (People Out): Brian Bowles Arrested For Possession of Meth


(Photo via MMAWeekly.)

You guys remember Brian Bowles, right? The pasty, Mark Wahlberg-looking UFC veteran best known for (figuratively) ending Miguel Torres‘ career? Anything? I wouldn’t blame you if you’re coming up short, as the former WEC bantamweight champion has been MIA since getting TKO’d by George Roop at UFC 160 and subsequently failing his post-fight drug test.

Well as it turns out, ol’ Bowlesy has spent his time away from the octagon pursuing various…pursuits that wouldn’t exactly fall in line with what you’d expect of MMA fighters not named Charles Bennett. Mainly, mainlining meth and valium.


(Photo via MMAWeekly.)

You guys remember Brian Bowles, right? The pasty, Mark Wahlberg-looking UFC veteran best known for (figuratively) ending Miguel Torres‘ career? Anything? I wouldn’t blame you if you’re coming up short, as the former WEC bantamweight champion has been MIA since getting TKO’d by George Roop at UFC 160 and subsequently failing his post-fight drug test.

Well as it turns out, ol’ Bowlesy has spent his time away from the octagon pursuing various…pursuits that wouldn’t exactly fall in line with what you’d expect of MMA fighters not named Charles Bennett. Mainly, mainlining meth and valium.

Bowles was arrested for possession of both aforementioned drugs in his Georgia home a couple weeks back, and is now facing six felony charges. From the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook:

On January 14, 2015, The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Rhomney Marie Moon (35) of Jefferson, Georgia and Brian David Bowles (34) also of Jefferson, Georgia on drug related charges. The Sheriff’s Office responded to Bowles residence on Stoner Road in Arcade, Georgia in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant on a wanted female possibly at this location. This particular female was not located however; Investigator’s found Moon and discovered she did have an outstanding Probation Warrant.

After a search of the immediate area Investigator’s found a quantity of methamphetamine. A Search Warrant was executed at the residence and a quantity of marijuana, other narcotics, a gun and numerous packaging materials were also located within the home. Moon and Bowels were both arrested and transported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Moon has been charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Schedule IV Drug, Possession of Schedule IV Drug with Intent to Sell, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime. Bowles is charged with the same. Both are currently incarcerated.

“The Sheriff’s Office responded to Bowles residence on Stoner Road in Arcade, Georgia.” Stoner Road. Brian Bowles lives on Stoner Road. Please, please someone tell me that he has a dog named Doobie. Or Heisenberg.

Of course, getting arrested isn’t exactly a new thing for Bowles. The former UFC fighter was booked on suspicion of DUI in 2010 and was also picked up by Jackson County Sheriff’s Department in 1999, 2003 and 2007, according to Yahoo.

We’ll have more details on Bowles’ arrest as the information is made available, but for now, I think we should all just be thankful that Domestic Assault was not among the charges listed against him. It’s a low bar, but someone’s gotta set it.

J. Jones

Fomer WEC Champ Brian Bowles Arrested on Possession of Meth, Other Drug Charges

Veteran MMA fighter Brian Bowles reached rarefied air in 2009 when he captured the WEC bantamweight title. Five years later, it seems he’s come all the way back down the mountain.
Bowles and an associate were reportedly arrested earlier in January in B…

Veteran MMA fighter Brian Bowles reached rarefied air in 2009 when he captured the WEC bantamweight title. Five years later, it seems he’s come all the way back down the mountain.

Bowles and an associate were reportedly arrested earlier in January in Bowles‘ Georgia home and charged with multiple drug offenses, including the possession of methamphetamine.

The report comes from, of all places, a Jan. 19 post on the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page (h/t Sherdog). The post stated that the actual arrest had been made Jan. 14 and read in part:

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Rhomney Marie Moon (35) of Jefferson, Georgia and Brian David Bowles (34) also of Jefferson, Georgia on drug related charges … Moon and Bowles were both arrested and transported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Moon has been arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule IV drug, possession of schedule IV drug with intent to sell, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of tools for the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Bowles is charged with the same. Both are currently incarcerated.

It appears Bowles and Moon are still locked up in jail and awaiting their next legal move, which to this reporter is entirely uncertain.

In 2009, Miguel Angel Torres was the unquestioned lord and master of MMA’s bantamweight contingent and was starting to creep up those pound-for-pound lists as well. Holding the WEC belt for a year-and-a-half—back when the WEC was the top of the mountain for lighter-weight fighters—was no small deal, nor was the 17-fight winning streak he had overall.

So when Bowles knocked him out in the first round of their title fight at WEC 42, it was a pretty juicy upset.

He went on to win other bouts, but none had the total impact on Bowles and his career arc that that one had.

Bowles last fought professionally in May 2013, losing the fight but also failing a drug screen because of excessive T/E ratios. Bowles was suspended for nine months because of the failure.

It was unclear whether or when Bowles (10-3) was planning to return to pro MMA. But with all this unevenness of late, it might not be looking good for him.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Friday Link Dump: Return of the Fedor-Sweater, Brian Bowles Suspended Nine Months, The 25 Greatest WWE Trash-Talkers + More

(“Flip Kick Knock Out: Girl Edition,” via Break.com)

The allure of the Fedor-sweater has not diminished… (Facebook.com/CagePotato)

Nevada Commission Suspends Brian Bowles 9 Months for Failed UFC 160 Drug Test (Sherdog)

Dana White Expresses Interest in Signing Bellator Champ Ben Askren (MMAFighting)

Invicta FC Champ Cris ‘Cyborg’ Books Muay Thai Bout at Lion Fight 11 (MMAJunkie)

UFC and Dana White Seem to Prefer Blissful Ignorance on PED Use in the Sport (BloodyElbow)

Behind The Scenes Photos From Brittney Palmer’s 2014 Calendar Shoot (TerezOwens)

The 25 Greatest Trash Talkers in WWE History (Complex)

What Women Really Think About Your Dating Profile (MadeMan)

Gathering of the Juggalos Tour Diary: Day 1 (FilmDrunk)
Gathering of the Juggalos Tour Diary: Day 2 (FilmDrunk)

The Screen Junkies Show: Hottest Animated Characters (ScreenJunkies)

20 Honest Website Slogans (WorldwideInterweb)

Seven Bad Habits That Could Actually Make You Healthier (MensFitness)

What Happens When You Drive Full Speed Into a Parking Lot? (EgoTV)


(“Flip Kick Knock Out: Girl Edition,” via Break.com)

The allure of the Fedor-sweater has not diminished… (Facebook.com/CagePotato)

Nevada Commission Suspends Brian Bowles 9 Months for Failed UFC 160 Drug Test (Sherdog)

Dana White Expresses Interest in Signing Bellator Champ Ben Askren (MMAFighting)

Invicta FC Champ Cris ‘Cyborg’ Books Muay Thai Bout at Lion Fight 11 (MMAJunkie)

UFC and Dana White Seem to Prefer Blissful Ignorance on PED Use in the Sport (BloodyElbow)

Behind The Scenes Photos From Brittney Palmer’s 2014 Calendar Shoot (TerezOwens)

The 25 Greatest Trash Talkers in WWE History (Complex)

What Women Really Think About Your Dating Profile (MadeMan)

Gathering of the Juggalos Tour Diary: Day 1 (FilmDrunk)
Gathering of the Juggalos Tour Diary: Day 2 (FilmDrunk)

The Screen Junkies Show: Hottest Animated Characters (ScreenJunkies)

20 Honest Website Slogans (WorldwideInterweb)

Seven Bad Habits That Could Actually Make You Healthier (MensFitness)

What Happens When You Drive Full Speed Into a Parking Lot? (EgoTV)

Brian Bowles Fails UFC 160 Drug Test


(Bowles in happier times)

In case you missed it, nation, not all UFC 160 fighters passed their post-fight drug tests. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Keith Kizer let us know yesterday that former champion Brian Bowles has some ‘splaining to do.

Regarding UFC 160, Kizer wrote in an email that “All athletes tested.  All results negative, except Brian Bowles tested positive for an elevated T/E ratio (> 20).  A complaint will be forthcoming.”

First off, let’s just highlight the fact that Kizer said that all fighters on the UFC 160 card were tested. Used to be that only a select few were ever tested following bouts, you might remember. For some time now, however, the NSAC has been testing all fighters on a given card. Ain’t no Canadian loopholes in Nevada, we suppose.

Back to Bowles – The failed test is just an extra bummer for him. He returned to action for the first time since 2011 at UFC 160 and lost via TKO to George Roop. No one seems to really be able to truly explain the precise significance of what elevated testosterone to epitestosterone ratios mean, but we do know that athletes can sure get in trouble for having them.

A complaint from the NSAC will soon be filed against Bowles and his license to fight is presumably temporarily suspended until he has a hearing before the regulatory body to explain himself and the test results. At that point, the commission could decide to do any number of things with Bowles from reinstating his license immediately to suspending him for a specific period of time and fining him a portion of his UFC 160 purse.

Bowles has now lost two in a row. Thus far, he hasn’t appeared to comment publicly on the test results.  We’ll keep you posted as more news develops.

Elias Cepeda


(Bowles in happier times)

In case you missed it, nation, not all UFC 160 fighters passed their post-fight drug tests. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Keith Kizer let us know yesterday that former champion Brian Bowles has some ‘splaining to do.

Regarding UFC 160, Kizer wrote in an email that “All athletes tested.  All results negative, except Brian Bowles tested positive for an elevated T/E ratio (> 20).  A complaint will be forthcoming.”

First off, let’s just highlight the fact that Kizer said that all fighters on the UFC 160 card were tested. Used to be that only a select few were ever tested following bouts, you might remember. For some time now, however, the NSAC has been testing all fighters on a given card. Ain’t no Canadian loopholes in Nevada, we suppose.

Back to Bowles – The failed test is just an extra bummer for him. He returned to action for the first time since 2011 at UFC 160 and lost via TKO to George Roop. No one seems to really be able to truly explain the precise significance of what elevated testosterone to epitestosterone ratios mean, but we do know that athletes can sure get in trouble for having them.

A complaint from the NSAC will soon be filed against Bowles and his license to fight is presumably temporarily suspended until he has a hearing before the regulatory body to explain himself and the test results. At that point, the commission could decide to do any number of things with Bowles from reinstating his license immediately to suspending him for a specific period of time and fining him a portion of his UFC 160 purse.

Bowles has now lost two in a row. Thus far, he hasn’t appeared to comment publicly on the test results.  We’ll keep you posted as more news develops.

Elias Cepeda